GCSE students were treated to two days of acting expertise last week as actor, director, screenwriter, singer, choreographer and dancer Rikki Beadle Blair dropped in to coach them and prepare them for their performances.

His visit was a huge success and he was so enthusiastic. His unique style was like a breath of fresh air.

Acting Head of Drama, Mrs Burns, invited him in to St Bonaventure’s and added: “We were really lucky to get Rikki to come in as he is so well respected in the film, television and theatre industry. Both Year 11 classes were terrific and impressed him. They learned a lot and were keen to show him the monologues they had been working on. He was happy to offer them direction and gave useful tips to help them improve their final pieces.”

Rikki was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List and is due to collect his gong next month.